The South African Afro-pop singer Zahara has died at the age of 36 after being hospitalised with liver problems following years of alcohol abuse, the country’s culture minister announced.
The award-winning singer, whose real name was Bulelwa Mkutukana, died at a hospital in the city of Johannesburg last night, reports SABC News.
Zahara had shot to fame in 2011 with her award-winning album Loliwe and in 2020 she featured in the BBC‘s 100 Women list, which highlights the most inspiring and influential women from around the world.
The Afro-pop star, whose powerful ballads earned her multiple platinum-selling albums in South Africa, had been suffering with liver problems after battling with alcohol addiction and was hospitalised last month before passing away on Monday.
South Africa‘s Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa, who announced her death, said the government had been ‘assisting’ Zahara’s family for ‘some time now’.
The award-winning singer, whose real name was Bulelwa Mkutukana, died at a hospital in the city of Johannesburg last night, reports SABC News
The South African Afro-pop singer Zahara (pictured in Cape Town in 2012) has died at the age of 35 after being hospitalised with liver problems following years of alcohol abuse, the country’s culture minister announced
‘I am very saddened by the passing of Zahara,’ Kodwa said. ‘My deepest condolences to the Mkutukana family and the South African music industry.
‘Government has been with the family for some time now. Zahara and her guitar made an incredible and lasting impact in South African music.’
Last month, Zahara’s manager Oyama Dyosiba confirmed the singer had been hospitalised ‘following complaints about physical pains’.
Zahara, born to a poor family in a village near the South African city of East London, had suffered liver disease after battling alcohol addiction for years.
Her sister Nomande said in 2019 that doctors had told her: ‘If Zahara continues drinking, she is going to die. We are making sure that there is always someone around her to monitor her so that she doesn’t start drinking again.’
Warner Music Africa, her record company, also said it was ‘mourning’ Zahara’s death.
‘Her lasting memory in our hearts and mind must be her ability to bring comfort and resonate with the struggles of the poorest of the poor,’ the radical Economic Freedom Fighters opposition party said in a statement.
Zahara had been self-taught in playing the guitar and won album of the year at the South African Music awards for her debut album Loliwe after it sold out in 72 hours. Her voice drew comparisons to Tracy Chapman, Joan Armatrading and India Arie.
Last month, Zahara’s manager Oyama Dyosiba confirmed the singer (pictured) had been hospitalised ‘following complaints about physical pains’
Zahara had been self-taught in playing the guitar and won album of the year at the South African Music awards for her debut album Loliwe
Zahara was billed alongside Hugh Masekela, James Ingram and Lauryn Hill at Africa’s biggest jazz festival in 2012.
She released five albums and won 17 South African Music Awards, the country’s top accolade, in all.
And in 2012, Zahara told how she had sang for South Africa’s anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela at his home.
‘That was emotional for me. I remember I cried when I started singing to the finish and I even messed up my song,’ she recalled.
Zahara also campaigned against violence against women in South Africa, which she described in 2020 as a ‘pandemic’ in the nation.
She revealed that she had been attacked by a man who had pepper-sprayed her in his car.
‘Men feel like they are entitled to women, like women are theirs,’ Zahara told the BBC. ‘Men in South Africa, all they care about is them.’